The best closers in MLB history: 27. Rod Beck
- 286 total saves
- 3.30 ERA
- 519 games finished
- 83.9 save percentage
In just his second professional season, Rod Beck almost immediately assumed the closer role for the San Francisco Giants. Beck, 23-years-old at the time, stifled hitters throughout the 1992 campaign. He pitched in 65 games, finishing 42 of them along with 17 saves, to a 1.76 ERA that year.
Beck, affectionately nicknamed “Shooter” by his teammates, spent seven seasons in San Francisco. He’s remembered for his big personality and an even bigger heart. The beloved Giant holds the team record for the most saves in a single season, 48, along with Brian Wilson in 2010. He also finished his Giants career with 199 career saves, which ranks second behind another franchise legend found later on this list.
Throughout his 13-year career, Beck saved 286 games and finished 519. He owns a career 3.30 ERA and 83.9 percent save percentage, which ranks 21st all-time. Beck also recorded four seasons with at least 35 saves and led the entire MLB in games finished three different times.
Beck was named to three All-Star teams throughout the mid-1990s and was given the NL Ronalds Relief Man Award in 1994 after posting the fourth-lowest ERA of his career with 2.77.